Local impact of $53 million in state mental health funding

BRADLEY COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) “It’s gonna be great for this funding here for this community but then as those funding opportunities become available all over the state there will be funding opportunities.” Tennessee will receive more than $53 million in additional funding from the federal government to address mental health and addiction treatment needs driven by the pandemic. The funding…

Teenager driving safety changes in Georgia

(WDEF) – Car crashes are the number one cause of death of teenagers between 16 and 19 according to drive SmartGeorgia.com. “A young man and his name was Joshua was killed in a car wreck and his parents worked along with legislators to help increase driver safety,” said President of A+ Driving Services in NW Georgia Jim Howell. 17-year-olds looking…

CFC Blank New Amsterdam 2-0

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) CFC beat New Amsterdam 2-0 on Saturday night at Fort Finley. Game turned near the 40 minute mark when New Amsterdam’s David Diosa drew a red card for taking down the CFC’s Cameron Woodfin. Chattanooga scored a goal moments later from Ian McGrath to carry a 1-0 lead into halftime. Late in the second half and Sean Hoffstatter added…

Riverfront Nights returns for the 13th year

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Chattanoogans gathered for a rare, in person, live concert. Riverfront nights returned tonight for it’s 13th year. Happening now: Riverfront Nights; Chattanooga’s free summer music series. Come out and hear some of Prince’s greatest hits and get vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/tcDohA8ENJ — Danielle Moss (@SunnyD_wx) June 5, 2021 The free summer music concert was postponed last year because of…

Chattanooga Lookouts Enjoying Nice Crowds After No Games Last Season

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Last year the Chattanooga Lookouts didn’t play a single game. Cancelled by Covid. Luckily the Lookouts are back this season, and local baseball fans are turning out. Said Lookouts general manager Rick Mozingo:”I mean every single time we have opened the gates, we have sold every single ticket we’ve had available. And that’s just a credit to the city…

National Gun Violence Awareness Day in Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – Pastors, city officials, and other Chattanooga community leaders gathered on the steps of city hall this morning to commemorate National Gun Violence Awareness Day. The occasion originated when 15-year-old Hadiya Pendleton of Chicago was killed just days after performing at former President Obama’s second inauguration. It is now observed nationally on the first Friday in June. Mona…

Titans Getting Back in the OTA Groove

Last year the Titans weren’t allowed to conduct any OTA practice sessions because of the pandemic. Well they’re back on this summer, and the Titans hope the extra practice sessions will be beneficial for the upcoming season, especially for the newcomers. Having the rookies available for OTA’s this year must seem like a luxury for head coach Mike Vrabel. Said…

Dispelling COVID-19 vaccine myths

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- The Biden Administration is pushing to get 70% of adults vaccinated by July 4th. But, many people have questions and concerns about the shot. Medical professionals have heard many different myths that are keeping people from being vaccinated. When the vaccine first rolled out, the main concern was the minority community. Now, Dr. Calvin Harris, with Meharry…

Tennessee and Georgia continue to lag behind in COVID-19 vaccination rates

WHITFIELD COUNTY, Georgia (WDEF) – Medical experts fear that’s states such as Tennessee and Georgia could see a surge in COVID cases as vaccination rates are still low. COVID cases in Whitfield County increased in May due to not enough people being vaccinated, but still became more lax with mask requirements. “Since a lot of the mandates are being relaxed about…

Dalton State Golf Coach Ben Rickett Has Enjoyed Lots of Success Since Starting the Program

Dalton, GA-(WDEF-TV) Dalton State did not have a golf team until 2013, and now, they already have an NAIA national championship. Head coach Ben Rickett has been there since day one to witness the Road Runners incredible journey on the lynx. Ben Rickett’s office can no longer hold all the awards from his Dalton State golf team. Something Rickett could…

Bradley warns of Irish Travellers scam in the county

CLEVELAND, Tennessee (WDEF) – Bradley County officials warn that the “Irish Travellers” group may be working in our area. The say the case of Tommy Sherlock should be a warning to others. They have charged the South Carolina man with scamming an elderly resident in the Hopewell area. They say he badgered the resident to get work done on their…

Major Traffic Pattern Change coming to Market and Broad Street

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn (WDEF) – Starting Monday morning , drivers will notice a significant shift in the traffic pattern on Broad AND Market Street. The transition will be part of the I-24 project that proposes to open up the area surrounding the interstate.  “This project is almost a $32 million project. it will open up that area of town for more development…

Wilcox Tunnel blocked by downed tree

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The storms took a toll on afternoon traffic around Chattanooga. The wind and soaked ground brought down a tree in front of the Wilcox Boulevard Tunnel on the east side of the ridge. Crews had to close the tunnel while they cut the tree up. Chattanooga Police also worked street flooding in several areas. Here are some…

Used car prices continue to increase

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)- Tennessee and Georgia Car shoppers looking for a deal will be hard-pressed to find one as Used car prices continue to surge. “The highly utilized truck with a lot of flexibility and the purely selfish, fun coupes and convertibles. Those are the two extremes that seem to have gone up in value the most,” said iSeeCars executives…

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announces run for another term

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has announced she is running for another full term as governor. The 76-year-old Republican made the announcement in a video message released by her campaign. She emphasized her administration’s investment in infrastructure, job creation, the state’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and its low unemployment rate. Ivey won her first full term…

JBS cyberattack sparks fears of meat price increases

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – First with gas, and now with food. With the cyberattack against major meat producer, JBS USA, suppliers are warning shoppers to brace themselves for an increase in prices. “With those plants that they have offline, by the time it goes through the distribution channel you’ll start feeling those effects in, say, seven to ten days,” says…